Feeder for threshing-machines.



J. M. SAILER.

FEEDER FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 5, 1904.

Patented June 29, 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

nu: Nonms PETERS co., WASHINGTON, n. c

JOHN M. SAILER, OF J'ANESVILLIC, WISCONSIN.

FEEDER FOR THRE SEEING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Application filed December 5, 1904. Serial No. 235,468.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LJoiIN M. Samar, residing at Janesville, in the county of Rock and State of ivisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feeders for 'lhreshing-ldachines of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to feeders for threshing machines and comprises a band cutting mechanism for a threshing machine of such a construction that it will move independently of the motion of its sickle bar and thereby more effectively reach and sever the bands of the bundles of grain as they are fed thereto.

This invention further comprises a novel means for adjusting a cutting mechanism with relation to its feed apron.

This invention further comprises a feeding mechanism having blades of a novel construction whereby they are adapted to cut the bands of the bundles of grain in event of the failure of the cutting mechanism to do so.

This invention also comprises a slipping connection in the driving gear for a feed apron so that the driving gear may not be injured by the stoppage of the feed apron from any cause.

With the above and other objects in view the invention further consists in the device, its parts and combinations of parts as herein set forth and their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in the several views 2- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a feeder mechanism for threshing machines constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of such, feeder mechanism, the sectional plane of liig. 1 being shown thereon by the line 11; Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof showing the driving end of the machine; Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the adjusting end of the machine; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the eccentrics for driving and moving the cutting mechanism; and, Fig. (5 is a sectional view of a driving pinion for the feeding apron constituting a slipping connection therefor.

In these drawings 7 represents a frame which has rigidly mounted on one end a cross bar 8 and at the other end a cross bar J to which are slidably clamped convcyer frames 10 having sprocket rollers ll and 12 journaled in their outer and inner ends respectively. Sprocket chains 13 travel around the sprocket rollers 11 and 12 of each conveyor frame and are spaced apart along the sprocket rollers where sprocket teeth are provided for them. A series of regularly spaced slats 1+ are mounted on the several sprocket chains of each conveyor frame and constitute therewith feeder aprons or tables for conveying the bundles of grain from each side of the machine to the band cutting mechanism.

()11 the shaft 15 of each sprocket roller 12 is mounted a beveled pinion 16 which has a conical opening 17 litting on a conical hub 18 of the shaft and which is held in place by means of a pair of nuts 19 threaded on the end of said shaft and bearing thereon so that the friction between the pinion and the conical hub of the shaft will bind the said pinion to the shaft until a predetern'iined resistance causes the pinion to slip or turn on the conical hub for a purpose to be later explained.

A shaft 20 is journaled in suitable bearings on the frame 7 with beveled pinions 21 mounted thereon meshing with the slip pinions 16 and said shaft is adapted to receive movement by having a gear wheel on one end thereof meshing with a gear wheel 23 on a shaft 2-jt which in turn meshes with a small pinion on a shaft 20 having a belt pulley 27 on its other end adapted to be connected with some suitable driving mechanism not shown. The motion of the drive pulley 27 is imparted through the meshing gears 25, 23 and 22 to the shaft 20 and is transferred toboth of the feed aprons by means of the intcrmeshing beveled pinions 21 and 16 so that the upper portions of said feed aprons move toward the center of the machine. At the other end of the machine the cross bar 8 is intercepted by and forms a support for an open rectai'igular frame 28 in which is journaled a vertical adjusting screw having a crank handle 30 on its upper end. A rectangular movable frame 31 is located within the fixed frame 28 and is adapted to be raised and lowered therein by means of a nut housed in a suitable pocket in the movable frame 31 so as to be incapable of turning therein and having the adjusting screw 29 threaded therethrough. By this means the rotation of the adjusting screw 29, produced by turning the crank handle 30, causes the nut to raise or lower the movable frame 31 within the fixed frame 38, and in order that the movable frame may be guided in its movements it is provided with guide plates 33 which are secured to depending lugs 34 on the upper member of the movable frame and extend out beyond the side members of the fixed frame and bear thereon.

A pair of links 35 are pivoted within the movable frame 31 between the side members thereof and the lugs 34 by having their en larged upper ends mounted on suitable pivotal pins which pass through said lugs and side members of the movable frame. The lower ends of the lin s are pivotally connected to a pair of parallel angle iron bars 36 which extend across the machine lengthwise thereof, with suitable blocks 37 placed between the links and the downwardly extending flanges of said bars. The said angle iron bars 36 which constitute the framework of a reciprocating band cutting mechanism are by this means pivotally suspended from the movable frame 31 and are adjustable vertically by means of the adjustment of said movable frame previously mentioned. At the other end of the machine the angle iron bars 36 are connected to a casting 38 which has a pair of depending sectional eccentric straps 39 surrounding a pair of eccentrics 40 on shaft 20 with a larger and oppositely disposed eccentric 41 therebetween. A pitman 42 has a sectional eccentric strap 43 surrounding the middle eccentric 41 and is pivoted at 44 to a lug 45 on a sickle bar carried by the cutter frame which is adapted to be reciprocated with relation thereto to cause its cutting teeth to cooperate with suitable cutting teeth mounted on the cutter frame to cut the bands of bundles of grain fed thereto from both sides by the feeder aprons. The details of construction of the cutter frame and sickle bar being similar to the corresponding parts shown in my Patent No. 764,680 and not constituting in themselves the features of novelty of this invention these parts have here been shown in outline only.

The eccentrics 4O produce a horizontal reciprocation of the cutter frame by moving it lengthwise of the machine as permitted by the links 35 and also produce a vertical oscillation thereof by swinging it on its pivotal connection with said links 35 so that one end thereof is raised and lowered at the same time it is being horizontally reciprocated. The relation of the eccentrics 40 with the eccentric 41 is such that the reciprocations of the cutter frame thus produced are in reverse direction to the rcciprocations being produced at the same time on the sickle bar sliding therethrough.

The sprocket rollers 12 of the side feed aprons are provided with radially extending blades 46 which are spaced apart to accommodate the sprocket chains 13 and have their edges beveled on one side with the beveled surface grooved or serrated to form series of sharp cutting teeth 47. The blades 46 are designed to take the bundles of grain which are being fed forward sidewise by the side feed aprons and move them forcibly against the unyielding cutting mechanism to sever the bands thereof, but should the cutting mechanism fail to reach the bands the sharpened toothed edges of the blades by pressing the bundles tightly against the cutting mechanism will engage and cut the bands.

In order that the shaft 20 may have intermediate bearings an arch shaped casting 48 intercepts the cross bar 9 and has clamped to its downwardly extending ends a pair of arms forming supplemental bearings 49 supporting the shaft between the eccentrics and the beveled pinions 21. The connection between the bearings 49 and the casting 48 by its adjustability facilitates the alinement of the parts.

At each end of the machine is provided an inclined guard plate 50 which prevents the grain falling oil of the side feed aprons and which is cut away at its middle portion to allow for the movements of the cutting mechanism.

In operation bundles of grain are thrown upon the feeding tables formed by the side feed aprons on both sides of the machine so as to extend approximately parallel with the slats thereof and are carried thereby to the middle of the machine where the blades 46 coming up through the aprons between the slats engage said bundles and forcibly press them against the cutting mechanism while said cutting mechanism besides having its sickle bar reciprocating therein is bodily reciprocating horizontally and is oscillating vertically upon one end as a pivot so as to bring its cutting teeth into different vertical planes and be more liable to reach and cut the bands of the bundles of grain than if said cutter frame were stationary. While the cutting mechanism is given positive motion with relation to the feeding table. it is unyielding to the pressure of the bundles of grain thereon so as to cooperate with the blades 46 and be more effective in cutting the bands, the cutting mechanism and the blades 46 working their way into the opposite sides of the bundles at the same time. When the cutting mechanism fails to cut a bundle of grain it becomes wedged between the cutting mechanism and a blade 46 so that the serrated knife edge of said blade will cut into the bundle until it severs the band thereof, butshould this means also fail in cutting the band and the feed apron be stopped by the uncut bundle so as to endanger the driving mechanism thereof, the slip pinion 16 will be forced to turn on its shaft While said shaft and its sprocket drum remains at a standstill until the machine can be stopped and the obstruction removed.

It will be understood that the range of movement of the cutting mechanism above the plane of the aprons is sufficiently limited to prevent the passage of the bundle until the band has been cut, notwithstanding the pressure of the blades as against the bundle, and consequently as above described there is absolutely no possibility of uncut bundles passing to the cylinder.

By reason of the teeth of the cutting mechanism being constantly directed in opposition to the path of travel of the bundles of grain, and by reason of the bodily movements of the cutting mechanism, the cutting teeth are caused to saw into the bundles of grain and reach the hand, even though it may be tight and of much smaller diameter than the ends of the bundles, and though it is necessary to reach it at a greater or less distance above the apron, since the movement imparted to the cutting mechanism is a combined longitudinal movement, which is permitted by the link supports, and an up and down movement, which is produced by the eccentric mounting at the other end thereof, though the extent of the latter move ment varies from end to end of the cutting mechanism. The longitudinal motion of the cutting mechanism causes the teeth thereof to part the grain of the bundle by sawing into it, and the up and down motion of the cutting mechanism increases this effect of parting the grain of the bundle by pressing the grain up and down, away from the cut ting mechanism, and so the teeth of the cutting mechanism gain access to the bands to cut them, even when the bundles are of the most inconvenient sizes and shapes, and in any condition of the grain. Another feature of advantage due to the particular construction and arrangement of the cutting mechanism is the fact that the eccentric movement thereof is produced at one end only, which permits the other end to be easily adjusted vertically, even during the operation of the machine, so as to increase or diminish the distance between the cutting mechanism and the aprons and so regulate the feed of grain to the cylinder.

It is obvious that the details of construction and arrangement of parts here shown and described as exemplifying one embodiment of this invention are not essential thereto but they may be changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the claims.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof,- said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, and mechanical means for constantly moving the cutter frame with relation to the other parts of the feeder during the operation of the sickle bar.

2. in a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, and mechanical means for oscillating the cutter frame con stantly during the operation of the sickle bar.

3. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in OPPOSii'lOll to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, and mechanical means for constantly reciprocating the cutter frame during the operation of the sickle bar.

t. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of nmvcment of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperatii'ig sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, and mechanical means for reciprocating and oscillating the cutter frame during the operation of the sickle bar.

In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, means for movably supporting the cutter frame at one end, and an eccentric coi'inectcd to the cutter frame at the other end to impart movement thereto during the operation of the sickle bar.

6. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movcment of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, a pivotal link supporting the cutter frame at one end, and an eccentric connected to the other end of the cutter frame to impart movement thereto constantly during the operation of the sickle bar.

Y. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism. having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, an adjustable support for one end of the cutter fra ne, and mechanical means for moving the other end of the cutter frame during the operation of the sickle bar.

8. In a feeder for threshing machines, a shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, and an eccentric moving means for the other end of the cutter frame adapted to move the cutter frame during the operation of the sickle bar.

9. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a cooperating sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, an adjustable support, a link connecting one end of the cutter frame with the adjustable support, and an eccentric means for moving the other end of the cutter frame during the operation of the sickle bar.

10. In a feeder for threshing machines, a frame, a pivoted link adjustably mounted on the frame, a cutter frame having one end suspended by the link, a suitably driven shaft, a pair of eccentrics thereon, eccentric rings surrounding said eccentrics and connected to the cutter frame, a third eccentric on the shaft arranged in opposition to the other eccentrics, an eccentric strap therefor, a pitman connected to said eccentric strap, and a sickle bar on the cutter frame connected to the pitman and adapted to be moved thereby in the opposite direction to the movement of the cutter frame.

11. In a feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, a stationary frame, a movable frame slidable thereon, a screw journaled in the stationary frame, a nut seated in a pocket of the movable frame and threaded on the screw so that the movable frame may be adjusted with relation to the stationary frame by means of the screw, a link pivoted to the movable frar e and supporting the cutter frame, and neaus for moving the cutter frame.

12. In feeder for threshing machines, a reciprocating shearing cutting mechanism having its cutting teeth located in the path of movement of the grain and constantly directed in opposition to the travel thereof, said. cutting mechanism comprising a cutter frame and a. sickle bar, means for operating the sickle bar, a stationary frame, a movable frame carried thereby, a screw ournaled in the stationary frame and threaded in the movable frame, a pair of hi gs on the movable frame, pivotal pins passing through said lugs and the side members of the movable frame, links pivotally mounted. on said pins, said cutter frame being pivoted to the links, and means for moving the cutter frame.

13. In feeder for threshing machines, a frame, a cross bar attached thereto, a rectangular stationary frame supported by the cross car, a rectangular movable frame slidable in the stationary frame, a crank screw journal-ed in the stationary frame, a nut in a pocket of the movable frame threaded on the crank screw, a pair of lugs on the movable fr ,me, guide plates secured thereto and bearing on the stationary frame, pivotal pins L sing through the lugs and the side members of the movable frame, a pair of links pivotally mounted on the pivotal pins be tween the lugs and the side members of the movable frame, a cutter frame comprising a pair of angle irons pivotally connected to the pair of links, a suitably journaled shaft,

pair of eccentrics thereon having connection with the cutter frame, an intermediate eccentric on the shaft, and a sickle bar carried by the cutter frame and having connection with the intermediate eccentric.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JUHN M. SAILER. ll itnesses Fnonnnos SWIOK, L. S. DEAL. 

